Vegas Sands report suggests settlement amount in Macau case

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Financial documents suggested Wednesday that Las Vegas Sands Corp. paid $96 million to settle a 15-year breach-of-contract dispute with a Hong Kong businessman who helped the U.S. company open its first casino in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau.

Hong Kong businessman Richard Suen, right, waits as counsel addresses the judge during a trial against the Las Vegas Sands Corp., in Clark County district court in Las Vegas. An earnings report suggests Las Vegas Sands Corp. paid $96 million to settle a 15-year breach-of-contract dispute with Suen, who helped the U.S. company open its first casino in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau.

People walk across a road in front of the Venetian Macao casino resorts in Macau. An earnings report suggested Wednesday, April 17, 2019, that Las Vegas Sands Corp. paid $96 million to settle a 15-year breach-of-contract dispute with Richard Suen, a Hong Kong businessman who helped the U.S. company open its first casino in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau.

Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman and CEO Sheldon Adelson speaks in Las Vegas. An earnings report suggests Las Vegas Sands Corp. paid $96 million to settle a 15-year breach-of-contract dispute with Richard Suen, a Hong Kong businessman who helped the U.S. company open its first casino in the Chinese gambling enclave of Macau.

April 18, 2019

The amount was listed as a "nonrecurring legal settlement" in a $582 million quarterly earnings report by the publicly traded company headed by casino mogul Sheldon Adelson. Adelson did not take part in a conference call with analysts, and company executives did not say anything about the single line-item among 15 pages of financial figures.

No dollar amount was disclosed March 14 when the settlement between Sands and Richard Suen and his company, Round Square Co., was announced in a Las Vegas courtroom. At the time, Suen said the battle he waged with Adelson since 2004 was "worth it" for what he called "the sense of justice." Suen attorney John O'Malley and Sands attorney James Jimmerson called it a fair end to the case.

Las Vegas Sands spokesman Ron Reese declined Wednesday to comment, and attorneys on both sides in the third trial involving Sands and Suen didn't immediately respond to messages. A $96 million settlement would surpass previous jury judgments against Sands of $70 million in 2013 and $44 million in 2008 after state court trials.

Both times, Sands appealed. The Nevada Supreme Court upheld jury findings that Sands was liable for damages but said in 2016 that a new jury should decide how much Suen should receive. The resulting settlement ended trial ahead of a second day of videotaped testimony by Adelson, the ailing 85-year-old board chairman, CEO and Republican national party donor.

Company lawyers say he is being treated for cancer, and he has been excused from appearing in court in person due to his health. Suen had no written contract but said he was promised a $5 million "success fee" if Sands got approval from the Chinese government to open a Macau casino, plus 2 percent of profits over the 18-year life of a license. Sands now owns five lucrative properties in Macau.

It also owns the Venetian and Palazzo resorts and Sands Expo Center on the Las Vegas Strip and a resort in Singapore. It recently sold a property in Pennsylvania. Company stock closed on Wednesday at $67.91, down 24 cents.